Media Statement

The African National Congress today joined by our alliance partners, the progressive youth alliance, mass democratic formations, representatives of business, labour and civil society announces the convening of a People’s March to Defend Our Sovereignty and Democratic Gains to take place on 21 March 2026, a day of profound historical significance in the life of our nation. This day that carries the memory of sacrifice and the weight of struggle born in the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, and the enduring spirit of a people who refused to accept oppression as their destiny, observing this day in democratic South Africa as Human Rights Day. It is therefore fitting that on this day, the people of South Africa will once again rise in unity, purpose, and determination to advance the next phase of our democratic journey.

This march is not an ordinary mobilisation. It is not a routine gathering, nor is it an isolated political activity. It is a historic call to action that draws from the deep wells of our liberation struggle and directs that energy toward the unfinished task of building a just, equitable, and transformed South Africa. It is a clear and unmistakable declaration that the sovereignty of South Africa resides in its people, and that the gains of our hard-won freedom shall neither be undermined nor reversed.

This moment must also be understood in the context of the historic mission of our movement and the enduring vision captured in the Freedom Charter, adopted in Kliptown in 1955 under the leadership of towering luminaries of our struggle such as Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Nelson Mandela. The Freedom Charter is not an abstract document; it is the product of mass participation, where ordinary South Africans from all walks of life declared the kind of country they wished to build.

It is in this Charter that the foundational principle was proclaimed, that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. This principle has never been a matter of convenience or expediency for us. It is a long-standing, unwavering policy position of the African National Congress, rooted in the very DNA of our liberation struggle as our lodestar. It emerged at a time when the apartheid regime was hell-bent on dividing the people along racial lines and to institutionalise exclusion. The ANC, in contrast, asserted a vision of a united, non-racial South Africa that became a vision of what our beautiful land will always look like.

This principle found its most profound expression in the words of former President Nelson Mandela, who declared at the dawn of our democracy that “never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.” These were not words spoken for effect; they were a solemn commitment to humanity, to justice, and to a future in which all who live in South Africa would enjoy equal rights and dignity.

The ANC remains firmly committed to this principle. It is a commitment to inclusion, to non-racialism, and to shared nationhood. At the same time, it must be clearly understood that this principle does not imply the erosion of the rule of law or the opening of space for illegality. The vision of South Africa belonging to all who live in it is grounded in constitutionalism, order, and respect for the laws of the Republic. It affirms that inclusion and justice must coexist with stability and lawful governance.

In the current period, we are witnessing the rise of misinformation, distortion, and coordinated narratives that seek to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and to create divisions among our people. These narratives are often driven by narrow interests that stand opposed to transformation and that seek to preserve historical privilege. Those who see correcting the past and equality amongst all South Africans as oppression. Their messages are amplified through various platforms with the intention of distorting reality and weakening the social fabric of our nation.

At the same time, there are broader global dynamics and external pressures that intersect with domestic challenges, sometimes reinforcing instability and uncertainty. The ANC approaches these realities with sobriety and responsibility. We will not be reckless, nor will we be drawn into unnecessary confrontation. Instead, we remain guided by the principles of democratic engagement, constructive dialogue, and the defence of national sovereignty within the framework of international cooperation.

It is precisely because of these conditions that the People’s March becomes both necessary and timely. It is a reaffirmation of the true values of our democracy, a rejection of division and misinformation, and a call for unity in the face of complex challenges.

On the 21st of March, the people of this country will rise not in disorder, but in disciplined formation; not in anger, but in purposeful resolve; not in fragmentation, but in unity of a nation that understands both its history and its power. This is a march that carries the voice of the workers, the hopes of the youth, the resilience of women, and the aspirations of communities across the length and breadth of our country. It is a march of the masses, rooted in their lived experiences and driven by their collective determination to shape a better future.

The African National Congress calls on all progressive forces, all patriotic formations, and all South Africans who believe in the promise of our democracy to join this march. We call on those who understand that the struggle for freedom did not end in 1994, but entered a new and more complex phase. We call on those who recognise that political liberation must be matched by economic emancipation, and that social justice must be realised not in theory, but in the daily lives of our people.

The People’s March is a declaration that the gains of 1994 are not negotiable. It is a declaration that economic justice cannot be postponed to some distant future. It is a declaration that the voice of the people is not a whisper to be ignored, but a powerful and resounding call that must be heard and acted upon. It is an affirmation that the direction of our country must be shaped by the collective will of its citizens, and not by narrow interests that seek to preserve inequality and exclusion.

As a liberation movement that leads a Government of National Unity, the African National Congress approaches this mobilisation with a clear understanding of its responsibilities. We remain firmly committed to the Constitution of the Republic, to the rule of law, and to the diplomatic posture of South Africa within the community of nations. We reject any notion that mass mobilisation stands in contradiction to governance. On the contrary, we affirm that governance and popular mobilisation are complementary pillars of a living and participatory democracy. It is through this dynamic relationship that the state derives its legitimacy and the people exercise their power.

This march is therefore not directed against the institutions of democracy, but is firmly in defence of them. It seeks to deepen their responsiveness, to strengthen their accountability, and to ensure that they remain instruments of transformation in the hands of the people. It is about ensuring that democracy is not reduced to periodic electoral moments, but is experienced as a continuous process of participation, engagement, and collective decision-making.

We are equally clear about the character that this march must embody. It must reflect the highest traditions of the liberation movement. It must be peaceful, disciplined, and organised. It must demonstrate the maturity of a people who understand that their strength lies in unity, restraint, and clarity of purpose. We call on all participants to conduct themselves with dignity, to reject provocation, and to uphold the values that have defined our struggle over generations. In doing so, we reaffirm that the African National Congress remains a movement that is capable of mobilising society while governing responsibly and ethically.

The context in which this march takes place is one that demands decisive action. The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Decisive Action to Transform the Economy. This is not a rhetorical commitment, but a recognition of the urgent need to confront the structural inequalities that continue to define our society. While significant progress has been made since 1994 in expanding access to basic services, education, healthcare, and social protection, it remains the case that economic power is still unevenly distributed, and that too many of our people remain excluded from meaningful participation in the economy.

The People’s March is therefore an expression of the collective demand for accelerated and inclusive economic transformation. It is a call for a South Africa in which opportunity is not determined by history, in which wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few, and in which every citizen has the ability to participate fully in the economic life of the country. It is a call for a society in which the dignity of work is restored, in which the youth are given real opportunities, and in which communities are empowered to shape their own development.

This march is also an affirmation of unity. It is a recognition that the future of South Africa cannot be built by one group alone, but requires the collective effort of all who live in it. It is a call for unity across race, class, gender, and geography. It is a reminder that our diversity is a source of strength, and that our shared destiny binds us together in a common purpose.

As the march proceeds from Mary Fitzgerald Square, across Queen Elizabeth Bridge (via Bertha Street), to the People’s Park, Constitutional Hill, it will carry with it a powerful message. A message that will affirm that South Africa’s democracy is alive and resilient, that its people are vigilant and engaged, and that its future will be shaped by the will of its citizens. It will signal to the world that ours is a country that resolves its challenges through democratic means, that values participation, and that remains committed to building a just and equitable society.

The struggle for economic emancipation continues, and it requires both decisive leadership and active participation by the people. It requires courage, unity, and a clear sense of direction. The People’s March is a step in that journey. It is a reaffirmation that the people of South Africa remain the primary agents of their own destiny, and that the future of this country will be shaped by their collective action.

The African National Congress expresses its profound appreciation to the broad front of progressive formations and sectors of our society who have heeded the call and committed themselves to the People’s March. We extend our sincere gratitude to the National Association of People Living with HIV, represented by Comrade Mluleki Zazini; to esteemed veterans of the arts and sports, including Mara Louw and Marks Maponyane; to community formations such as the Phedishano Foundation under Castro Maphutha; to the Progressive Professionals Forum led by Pat Baloyi; and to faith-based formations including the Progressive Pastors Forum SA under Bishop Mazamisa, Reverend Gololo, the Muslim Council of South Africa, and the South African Christian Council.

We further acknowledge the leadership of women’s formations such as the Black Women Caucus under Jane Chikwado, the Young Women of Africa led by Nelisiwe Nkomo, and PWMSA represented by Kholama Nare and Moipone Ghomane; as well as civil society organisations including SACONO under Tintswalo Makhubele, SANAC under MbuleloDyoi, and SANGOCO led by Nduvho Sekobela.

We recognise the contribution of the business sector through NAFCOC under Richard Zulu; the civic movement through the National Alliance for Civic Organisations led by Kenneth Mashiloane; the youth sector through SAYEC under Kanakana Mudzanani; and the disability sector represented by Megan Chauke.

We further appreciate the participation of the LGBTQIA+ formations, including the Embrace Diversity Movement and broader LGBTQIA+ leadership represented by Alex Malopha and Mpho Buntse; the taxi industry under Eric Munyai; traditional healers led by Gogo Skhotheni; traditional leadership through CONTRALESA under Prince Zwide; sports supporters represented by Mama Joy; and the arts and cultural sector, including community artists led by Mojalefa and the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa represented by Thobela Dlamini, Nozipho Dlamini, and Phumeza Manikela.

We also acknowledge national formations and international solidarity movements, including National Groups represented by Xiaomei Howard and Africa for Palestine under Ali Komape. This broad and diverse coalition of forces reflects the living spirit of unity in action and reaffirms that the People’s March is not the initiative of a single organisation, but a collective national movement committed to defending democracy, advancing transformation, and building a just and inclusive South Africa.

The African National Congress calls on all South Africans to rise to this moment, to organise in their communities, and to join this historic march. Let us move forward together with discipline, with unity, and with unwavering resolve.

The people shall govern.

Amandla.

END//